CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou city councilors agreed Monday to buy two properties on the severely compromised River Road.
A combination of rain and runoff damage in late April caused the earth below the pavement to move, resulting in a rift on the side of the road closest to the Aroostook River. According to a preliminary impact statement available on the City of Caribou website, the most heavily damaged portions of the road dropped six feet.
Local officials barricaded a quarter-mile section of the road and notified seven property owners in the area about the damage. City councilors also agreed to pay $1,000 monthly to those homeowners to relocate since large vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, and fuel delivery tankers are unable to travel within the barricaded section.
On Monday, the councilors voted to buy the properties located at 153 and 163 River Road, though there were some disagreements over the amount to be paid for one of them.
Councilor Mark Goughan said he did not understand why the city was offering $25,000 for the property at 153 River Road when it is assessed for taxes at $19,600, especially since the city proposed paying $61,000 for the 163 River Road property that is assessed at $60,800.
City Manager Dennis Marker explained that the factors behind this decision are primarily related to moving the process along as quickly as possible.
“We looked at their willingness to accept the assessed value as opposed to going through an appraisal process, which can cost about $1,000,” Marker said of the 153 River Road property owners.
“They are looking at time requirements and are also taking advantage of the city’s rental plan,” he said, adding that if the property is sold sooner, the city will save on reimbursing the owners for rent.
Goughan said he did “not see a process” in the city’s decision to purchase one property at $5,000 over its assessed value while merely rounding up another by $200 above its assessment. The councilor said he would prefer that the city be able to show the state and federal government that Caribou “followed a process” should additional government funds becomes available.
Marker indicated that a process is being followed, which is why the matter itself needed to be approved by the Caribou City Council.
Councilors then voted on a motion to accept the 153 River Road offer. Even though three of the five councilors present voted in favor, the measure failed. Four votes are required for passage and two councilors were absent from Monday’s meeting.
Goughan then suggested offering $20,000 for the 153 River Road property, and Councilor Joan Theriault argued that if the owners reject that offer, negotiations could continue going back and forth for several months, all while the city continues reimbursing their rent.
“He could use up the rental agreement by the time we get this settled,” she said, “so what’s the difference? If this goes on longer than a couple months you’re going to eat up that money anyway.”
“Is that a question?” Goughan asked.
“No,” Theriault said, “it’s a comment.”
Councilor Hugh Kirkpatrick motioned to offer $20,600, or the assessed value plus five percent.
“If they say that’s not good enough, we’ll have to bring this back to council,” Marker said.
Martin said that after three or four months, the city would be close to $25,000 anyway, and he was the only councilor to vote against offering the property for $20,600.
Councilors then unanimously voted to buy 163 River Road for $61,000 before moving onto the next agenda item.
The city currently has a $59,482 contract with the New England engineering firm DuBois & King to examine the site and determine the best course of action moving forward. According to a FAQ on the city website, officials anticipate that the firm’s investigation will be complete by Oct. 15. The city is currently working to move homeowners from the quarantined area as soon as possible and will discuss a plan of action based on the firm’s findings while creating the 2019 budget this fall.
